Since you're a member of theOtaku, I assume you've recently started watching anime, or have been doing so for what seems like an eternity. However, regardless of experience level, there is always one problem that seems to be recurring when I talk to people about anime and manga. And that is very simply remembering what you've watched and which ones you are going to watch.
Now I'm not saying that there doesn't exist someone amongst the few who are going to read this who has excellent memory and can trace back to every anime they've watched, and recall a show they considered watching when they saw a trailer for it four months ago. But the likelihood is that you, like me, don't have a super memory (although I like to think mine's still pretty good). If that's the case, what do you do about all those anime and manga that seem to pile up on your list? Excel? Notebook? Phone? Well, that's what I did, at least.
That's where MyAnimeList comes in-it's a website that tackles that issue head on, and allows you to maintain a list of anime and manga. These lists include what you are following, have watched, which series you've dropped, or are on hold. Additionally it also helps you remember how you felt about the show with a quick show ranking from 1-10, and additional features such as the ability to select start and finish dates for when you watched the show or read the series.
Lastly, if someone asks for show recommendations or which shows you have watched, MAL allows you to simply refer them to your list. Simple and convenient.
So if you don't already have an account, I would strongly recommend that you get one!
And if you already have one, please share! I'm always interested in what people watch and I'm open to new recommendations!
(My account name is Haitaka, please friend me ^^)